Afghanistan
AFGMiddle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & PakistanLow incomeCapital: KabulEconomy
Fiscal
People
Health
Education
Trade
Energy / Env
Tech
Governance
Equality
Infra
Labor
62/80 indicators · percentile vs world (IMF / WB / WHO)underover
GDP
$18
2024▲ 4.8%
Population
42.6M
2024▲ 2.9%
GDP per Capita
$417
2024▲ 2.0%
Life Expectancy
66.0 years
2023▲ 0.6%
Afghanistan in world space2002–2023
192 countries · log scale on X world Afghanistan· trajectory line: 1980 → today
▶About Afghanistan
Afghanistan's GDP is $18.08B (2024), with a population of 42.6M, and GDP per capita of $417. Key indicators include real GDP growth of 1.7%, inflation at -4.3%, government debt at 8.8% of GDP, life expectancy of 66.0 years. Data sourced from the IMF World Economic Outlook and World Bank World Development Indicators.
Located in the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan region, this country is classified as low income. Kabul serves as the capital. Its GDP stands at $18.08 billion (2024), ranking 137th globally, with a GDP per capita of $417. The economy is projected to grow by 1.7% in 2024, with a notable deflation rate of -4.3%. The economy is characterized by a high trade openness, with trade accounting for 67.6% of GDP in 2023. However, foreign direct investment inflows remain minimal, at 0.1% of GDP in 2021. Despite these economic indicators, the country faces significant challenges in attracting investment and diversifying its economic base. The country has a population of 42.6 million (2024) with a life expectancy at birth of 66.0 years (2023). The fertility rate is relatively high at 4.8 births per woman (2023). Adult literacy stands at 37.3% (2021), indicating substantial room for improvement in educational attainment. Health spending is significant, at 15.0% of GDP (2023), reflecting the priority placed on healthcare amidst a challenging economic landscape. Unemployment is projected to be 13.4% in 2
▶Economy29 indicators · 2020–2024 · IMF / WB
▶Fiscal & Monetary10 indicators · 2020–2024 · IMF / WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inflation, Consumer Prices (%) | -4.3% | 2024 | ▲ 44.2% | IMF |
| Govt Gross Debt (% of GDP) | 8.8% | 2024 | ▲ 4.8% | IMF |
| Fiscal Balance (% of GDP) | -0.5% | 2024 | ▲ 61.5% | IMF |
| Current Account Balance (% of GDP) | -20.3% | 2023 | ▼ 9.7% | IMF |
| Inflation, CPI (%, World Bank) | -6.6% | 2024 | ▼ 42.1% | WB |
| Total Reserves incl. Gold (USD) | $9.75B | 2020 | ▲ 14.7% | WB |
| Total Reserves (months of imports) | 16.6 | 2020 | — | WB |
| Official Exchange Rate (per USD) | 76.81 | 2020 | — | WB |
| PPP Conversion Factor | 14.8 | 2023 | ▼ 0.7% | WB |
| Broad Money (% of GDP) | 37.5% | 2020 | ▲ 7.3% | WB |
▶Trade15 indicators · 2019–2024 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trade (% of GDP) | 67.6% | 2023 | ▼ 7.3% | WB |
| Exports of Goods & Services (% of GDP) | 16.9% | 2023 | ▼ 8.3% | WB |
| Imports of Goods & Services (% of GDP) | 50.7% | 2023 | ▼ 6.9% | WB |
| Exports of Goods & Services (USD) | $2.89B | 2023 | ▲ 8.5% | WB |
| Imports of Goods & Services (USD) | $8.70B | 2023 | ▲ 10.1% | WB |
| Merchandise Exports (USD) | $536.0M | 2024 | ▲ 21.5% | WB |
| Merchandise Imports (USD) | $3.89B | 2024 | ▼ 8.9% | WB |
| FDI Inflows (% of GDP) | 0.1% | 2021 | ▲ 122.3% | WB |
| FDI Outflows (% of GDP) | 0.2% | 2021 | ▲ 15.7% | WB |
| FDI Net Inflows (USD) | $20.6M | 2021 | ▲ 58.8% | WB |
| Personal Remittances Received (USD) | $320.0M | 2024 | ▲ 0.0% | WB |
| Personal Remittances Received (% of GDP) | 1.9% | 2023 | ▼ 15.5% | WB |
| High-Tech Exports (% of manufactured) | 0.0% | 2019 | — | WB |
| Current Account Balance (% of GDP) | -15.7% | 2020 | ▲ 22.1% | WB |
| Current Account Balance (USD) | $-3.14B | 2020 | ▲ 17.3% | WB |
▶External Debt7 indicators · 2023–2024 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| External Debt (% of GNI) | 19.9% | 2023 | ▼ 14.8% | WB |
| External Debt Stocks (USD) | $3.34B | 2024 | ▼ 2.5% | WB |
| Total Debt Service (% of GNI) | 0.3% | 2023 | ▲ 38.3% | WB |
| Present Value of External Debt (USD) | $2.15B | 2024 | — | WB |
| Use of IMF Credit (USD) | $1.09B | 2024 | ▼ 3.4% | WB |
| Net ODA Received (% of GNI) | 17.8% | 2023 | ▼ 34.1% | WB |
| Net ODA Received (USD) | $3.06B | 2023 | ▼ 21.8% | WB |
▶Finance4 indicators · 2017–2021 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic Credit to Private Sector (% of GDP) | 3.1% | 2020 | ▼ 4.1% | WB |
| Account Ownership at Financial Institution (%) | 9.7% | 2021 | — | WB |
| Account Ownership, Female (%) | 7.2% | 2017 | — | WB |
| Account Ownership, Male (%) | 22.5% | 2017 | — | WB |
▶People23 indicators · 2023–2025 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 42.6M | 2024 | ▲ 2.9% | WB |
| Population Growth (%) | 2.8% | 2024 | ▲ 32.8% | WB |
| Population Density (per km²) | 64 | 2023 | ▲ 2.2% | WB |
| Surface Area (sq km) | 652,870 | 2023 | ▲ 0.0% | WB |
| Land Area (sq km) | 652,230 | 2023 | ▲ 0.0% | WB |
| Urban Population (%) | 25.7% | 2024 | ▲ 0.9% | WB |
| Urban Population (total) | 11.0M | 2024 | ▲ 3.8% | WB |
| Rural Population (%) | 74.3% | 2024 | ▼ 0.3% | WB |
| Life Expectancy at Birth | 66.0 years | 2023 | ▲ 0.6% | WB |
| Life Expectancy, Male | 64.5 years | 2023 | ▲ 0.8% | WB |
| Life Expectancy, Female | 67.5 years | 2023 | ▲ 0.4% | WB |
| Fertility Rate (births per woman) | 4.8 | 2023 | ▼ 1.9% | WB |
| Birth Rate (per 1,000) | 35.4 | 2023 | ▼ 1.7% | WB |
| Death Rate (per 1,000) | 5.8 | 2023 | ▼ 3.3% | WB |
| Net Migration | -74,404 | 2025 | ▼ 68.8% | WB |
| Population Ages 0–14 (%) | 42.9% | 2024 | ▼ 0.8% | WB |
| Population Ages 15–64 (%) | 54.7% | 2024 | ▲ 0.6% | WB |
| Population Ages 65+ (%) | 2.4% | 2024 | ▲ 1.0% | WB |
| Age Dependency Ratio (%) | 82.8% | 2024 | ▼ 1.3% | WB |
| Old-Age Dependency Ratio (%) | 4.4% | 2024 | ▲ 0.4% | WB |
| Youth Dependency Ratio (%) | 78.4% | 2024 | ▼ 1.4% | WB |
| Mortality Rate, Adult Male (per 1,000) | 224.2 | 2023 | ▼ 3.9% | WB |
| Mortality Rate, Adult Female (per 1,000) | 178.8 | 2023 | ▼ 1.7% | WB |
▶Labor20 indicators · 2021–2025 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Labor Force | 9.4M | 2025 | ▲ 3.1% | WB |
| Labor Force Participation (%) | 37.5% | 2025 | ▼ 0.2% | WB |
| Female Labor Force Participation (%) | 5.1% | 2025 | ▼ 0.7% | WB |
| Male Labor Force Participation (%) | 69.8% | 2025 | ▼ 0.3% | WB |
| Unemployment (%) | 13.4% | 2025 | ▼ 2.5% | WB |
| Female Unemployment (%) | 25.0% | 2025 | ▼ 4.2% | WB |
| Male Unemployment (%) | 12.5% | 2025 | ▼ 2.2% | WB |
| Youth Unemployment (%) | 16.8% | 2025 | ▼ 2.6% | WB |
| Employment in Agriculture (%) | 51.6% | 2025 | ▲ 0.3% | WB |
| Employment in Industry (%) | 18.9% | 2025 | ▼ 0.8% | WB |
| Employment in Services (%) | 29.5% | 2025 | ▼ 0.1% | WB |
| Self-Employed (%) | 49.7% | 2021 | ▲ 19.6% | WB |
| Vulnerable Employment (%) | 81.8% | 2025 | ▲ 0.1% | WB |
| Wage & Salaried Workers (% of total) | 16.6% | 2025 | ▼ 0.2% | WB |
| Part-Time Employment (%) | 24.0% | 2021 | ▼ 34.7% | WB |
| Employers (% of total employment) | 1.6% | 2025 | ▼ 0.5% | WB |
| Labor Force, Female (% of total) | 6.8% | 2025 | ▼ 0.6% | WB |
| Employment to Population Ratio (%) | 32.5% | 2025 | ▲ 0.2% | WB |
| Self-Employed (% of total) | 83.4% | 2025 | ▲ 0.0% | WB |
| NEET Youth (% not in education/employment) | 43.8% | 2021 | ▼ 18.6% | WB |
▶Education16 indicators · 2015–2022 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adult Literacy Rate (%) | 37.3% | 2021 | ▲ 3.6% | WB |
| Female Literacy Rate (%) | 26.6% | 2022 | ▲ 17.7% | WB |
| Male Literacy Rate (%) | 52.1% | 2021 | ▲ 3.4% | WB |
| Youth Literacy Rate (%) | 62.7% | 2022 | ▲ 12.0% | WB |
| Primary School Enrollment (%) | 109.1% | 2019 | — | WB |
| Secondary School Enrollment (%) | 57.4% | 2018 | — | WB |
| Tertiary School Enrollment (%) | 10.9% | 2020 | — | WB |
| Primary Completion Rate (%) | 88.9% | 2019 | — | WB |
| Lower Secondary Completion Rate (%) | 60.4% | 2019 | — | WB |
| Primary School Teachers | 135,751 | 2019 | — | WB |
| Secondary School Teachers | 92,139 | 2018 | — | WB |
| Pupil-Teacher Ratio, Primary | 49 | 2018 | — | WB |
| Pupil-Teacher Ratio, Secondary | 34 | 2018 | — | WB |
| Expenditure per Student, Primary (% of GDP/cap) | 44.2% | 2017 | — | WB |
| Education Spending, Secondary (% of govt) | 22.3% | 2017 | — | WB |
| Education Spending, Tertiary (% of govt) | 16.0% | 2015 | — | WB |
▶Health42 indicators · 2019–2024 · WHO
▶Energy & Environment13 indicators · 2020–2024 · WB / WHO
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CO₂ Emissions (tonnes per capita) | 0.3 | 2024 | ▲ 0.7% | WB |
| CO₂ Emissions (total kilotonnes) | 12 | 2024 | ▲ 3.6% | WB |
| Renewable Electricity Output (%) | 78.2% | 2021 | ▼ 10.2% | WB |
| Renewable Energy Consumption (%) | 20.0% | 2022 | ▲ 0.0% | WB |
| Access to Electricity (%) | 85.3% | 2023 | ▲ 0.0% | WB |
| Access to Clean Fuels for Cooking (%) | 38.6% | 2023 | ▲ 4.0% | WB |
| PM2.5 Air Pollution (µg/m³) | 46.1 | 2020 | ▼ 21.0% | WB |
| Forest Area (%) | 1.9% | 2023 | ▲ 0.0% | WB |
| Forest Area (sq km) | 12,084 | 2023 | ▲ 0.0% | WB |
| Arable Land (%) | 12.0% | 2023 | ▲ 0.5% | WB |
| Terrestrial Protected Areas (%) | 3.6% | 2024 | ▲ 0.0% | WB |
| Access to Basic Drinking Water (%) | 80.8% | 2024 | ▲ 2.4% | WHO |
| Access to Basic Sanitation (%) | 54.5% | 2024 | ▲ 2.6% | WHO |
▶Agriculture12 indicators · 2022–2023 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agricultural Land (%) | 58.4% | 2023 | ▼ 0.5% | WB |
| Cereal Yield (kg per hectare) | 2,295 | 2023 | ▲ 4.7% | WB |
| Food Production Index (2014–2016=100) | 111.4 | 2022 | ▼ 2.5% | WB |
| Crop Production Index (2014–2016=100) | 121.3 | 2022 | ▼ 3.4% | WB |
| Livestock Production Index (2014–2016=100) | 95.4 | 2022 | ▼ 0.7% | WB |
| Land Under Cereal Production (hectares) | 2.3M | 2023 | ▲ 6.9% | WB |
| Total Fisheries Production (metric tonnes) | 2,000 | 2023 | ▲ 0.0% | WB |
| Fertilizer Consumption (kg per hectare) | 6.6 | 2023 | ▲ 30.1% | WB |
| Prevalence of Undernourishment (%) | 28.1% | 2023 | ▼ 2.8% | WB |
| Agricultural Irrigated Land (%) | 6.0% | 2023 | ▲ 2.6% | WB |
| Annual Freshwater Withdrawals (% of internal) | 43.0% | 2022 | ▲ 0.0% | WB |
| Cereal Production (metric tons) | 5.4M | 2023 | ▲ 11.9% | WB |
▶Technology8 indicators · 2019–2024 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Internet Users (%) | 17.7% | 2023 | ▲ 3.0% | WB |
| Mobile Subscriptions (per 100 people) | 56 | 2023 | ▼ 1.3% | WB |
| Fixed Broadband Subscriptions (per 100) | 0.1 | 2023 | ▲ 0.6% | WB |
| Secure Internet Servers (per million) | 41.1 | 2024 | ▼ 6.2% | WB |
| Scientific Journal Articles | 169 | 2022 | ▼ 4.6% | WB |
| High-Technology Exports (USD) | $0 | 2019 | — | WB |
| ICT Service Exports (% of service exports) | 7.8% | 2020 | ▼ 5.0% | WB |
| ICT Service Exports (USD) | $54.8M | 2020 | ▲ 1.9% | WB |
▶Infrastructure5 indicators · 2021–2023 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Transport, Passengers Carried | 1.0M | 2023 | ▼ 10.9% | WB |
| Air Transport, Freight (million ton-km) | 0.8 | 2023 | ▼ 67.5% | WB |
| Logistics Performance Index (1–5) | 1.90 | 2022 | — | WB |
| Electricity from Oil (%) | 21.8% | 2021 | ▲ 69.0% | WB |
| Electricity from Nuclear (%) | 0.0% | 2021 | — | WB |
▶Gender8 indicators · 2018–2025 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Women in Parliament (%) | 27.0% | 2021 | ▲ 0.0% | WB |
| Female Labor Force Participation, 15+ (%) | 23.3% | 2021 | ▲ 41.2% | WB |
| Female Wage & Salaried Workers (%) | 6.5% | 2025 | ▲ 1.2% | WB |
| Girls Out-of-School Rate (%) | 90.4% | 2018 | — | WB |
| Adolescent Fertility Rate (per 1,000) | 64.1 | 2023 | ▼ 1.9% | WB |
| Gender Parity Index, Primary | 110.78 | 2018 | — | WB |
| Gender Parity Index, Secondary | 0.57 | 2018 | — | WB |
| Gender Parity in Primary Education | 0.67 | 2019 | — | WB |
▶Governance10 indicators · 2023 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Control of Corruption | -1.15 | 2023 | ▲ 2.4% | WB |
| Government Effectiveness | -1.99 | 2023 | ▼ 5.7% | WB |
| Political Stability | -2.48 | 2023 | ▲ 2.4% | WB |
| Regulatory Quality | -1.27 | 2023 | ▲ 0.4% | WB |
| Rule of Law | -1.65 | 2023 | ▲ 0.6% | WB |
| Voice & Accountability | -1.85 | 2023 | ▼ 5.7% | WB |
| Control of Corruption (percentile rank) | 13.7% | 2023 | ▲ 11.5% | WB |
| Government Effectiveness (percentile rank) | 1.4% | 2023 | ▼ 25.0% | WB |
| Rule of Law (percentile rank) | 5.2% | 2023 | ▲ 0.0% | WB |
| Political Stability (percentile rank) | 1.4% | 2023 | ▲ 50.7% | WB |
▶Military6 indicators · 2020–2021 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Military Spending (% of GDP) | 1.8% | 2021 | ▲ 34.5% | WB |
| Military Expenditure (USD) | $278.3M | 2021 | ▼ 0.5% | WB |
| Armed Forces Personnel | 165,000 | 2020 | — | WB |
| Armed Forces (% of labor force) | 1.8% | 2020 | ▼ 39.8% | WB |
| Military Spending (% of govt expenditure) | 10.3% | 2021 | ▲ 106.5% | WB |
| Intentional Homicides (per 100,000) | 4 | 2021 | ▼ 38.7% | WB |
▶Poverty & Inequality1 indicator · 2019 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty Headcount, National (%) | 47.1% | 2019 | — | WB |
▶Social Protection4 indicators · 2020 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Human Capital Index (0–1) | 0.40 | 2020 | — | WB |
| Human Capital Index, Female | 0.37 | 2020 | — | WB |
| Human Capital Index, Male | 0.41 | 2020 | — | WB |
| Learning-Adjusted Years of School | 5.1 years | 2020 | — | WB |
▶Tourism4 indicators · 2020 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tourism Receipts (USD) | $75.0M | 2020 | ▼ 11.8% | WB |
| Tourism Expenditures (USD) | $49.0M | 2020 | ▼ 70.8% | WB |
| Tourism Receipts (% of total exports) | 5.1% | 2020 | ▼ 9.4% | WB |
| International Tourism, Transport Services (USD) | $10.0M | 2020 | ▼ 23.1% | WB |
▶Urban Development8 indicators · 2022–2025 · WB / WHO
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Urban Population Growth (%) | 3.7% | 2024 | ▲ 52.3% | WB |
| Population in Largest City | 4.9M | 2025 | ▲ 3.1% | WB |
| Population in Largest City (% of urban) | 42.9% | 2025 | ▼ 0.6% | WB |
| Population in Agglomerations >1M (% of total) | 11.1% | 2025 | ▲ 0.3% | WB |
| Population in Slums (% of urban) | 71.6% | 2022 | ▼ 2.3% | WB |
| Rural Population Growth (%) | 2.5% | 2024 | ▲ 24.7% | WB |
| Access to Safely Managed Drinking Water (%) | 30.6% | 2024 | ▲ 2.2% | WHO |
| Access to Safely Managed Sanitation (%) | 24.8% | 2024 | ▲ 2.4% | WHO |
